Japan attracts more Chinese tourists

The total number of Chinese tourists to Japan reached 2.2 million in 2014, with a year-on-year increase of about 82 per cent. China has become the third-highest source of travelers to Japan. The depreciation of the yen, simpler visa application processes, and improvements in tourist services in Japan have ignited the passion of China's tourists.

The Yen dropped by 20 per cent against the Renminbi in 2013, and dropped by 10 to 12 per cent in 2014, according to Jiang Yiyi, Vice Director of the Institute of International Tourism Development from the China Tourism Academy. "This means consumers will get a 20 to 30 per cent discount when they buy things in Japan. The spending power of Chinese tourists is growing," says Jiang.

The Japanese government has extended the validity of its three-year multiple-entry visas to five years for Chinese nationals. If they meet the economic conditions, Chinese tourists visiting Japan in three years can apply for three to five-year multiple-entry visas.

"The Japanese government will gradually relax visa requirements," says Ijichi, Director of the Beijing Office of Japan's National Tourism Organization.

In 2014 Japan extended its duty free range from durable consumer goods including electric devices and bags to ordinary consumer goods including cosmetics and food according to Jiang. Consumers will enjoy a saving of 8 per cent sales tax. Meanwhile, duty-free formalities can be completed in the shopping areas.

Tourist services are of a high standard in Japan due to the careful nature of the Japanese. Ijichi says that Japan offers a high quality of service to foreign tourists. Restaurants offer chopsticks, knives, forks and various condiments. There are Chinese signs and introductions in both traditional and simplified Chinese. Consumers do not have to worry about communication difficulties in shopping malls because many shop assistants can speak Chinese.